C14 Fighting for a Brother

Halden snorted disdainfully, clearly observing Daxton's flustered reaction.

Yet, he persisted, "Big brother, don't say I didn't warn you. The Munro family isn't something any woman can just waltz into. Nor is this the place to be handing out titles willy-nilly."

Without allowing Daxton to respond, Halden turned to Ondine with a sardonic grin. "Likewise, I urge Miss Slater to tread carefully! You should know that not just any woman can waltz through the gates of the Munro family. I'm afraid you fall short of our family's standards for a bride."

"Excuse my frankness, but if it were that easy, what do you think the Munro family is? How do you regard my mother's words?"

His eyes, filled with envy, glanced at the Jade goddess of mercy, which had just been the subject of everyone's admiration.

"Furthermore, the Munro family isn't impressed by just any trivial offering you think you can present to curry favor. We've never been in need of such trinkets."

Ilyana listened to the exchange, her eyebrows raised imperceptibly, a cold smirk forming in her heart.

She watched as Ondine's face turned pale, her eyes wide with fury as she glared at Halden, her whole body shaking with rage. Ilyana's indifference swiftly morphed into an icy detachment.

Even though the situation had escalated beyond her control, she relished the thought of Ondine being humiliated and stripped of her hypocritical facade. This unexpected turn of events was quite pleasing to her, as Halden's words had struck a chord.

In stark contrast, Ondine was beside herself with anger. Her hands were clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, leaving trails of blood. She looked at Old Madame Munro with a mix of sorrow and rage, feeling the tactic of using someone else to do the dirty work was exceptionally vile.

The crowd's expressions shifted instantly. While Halden's remarks hadn't come directly from Old Madame Munro, she had made no move to intervene.

The credibility of those words was crystal clear to everyone present.

It seemed that Ondine's chances of joining the Munro family were now slim to none. It would be wise for her to limit her interactions with such women in the future to avoid being the subject of gossip.

Halden's voice was perfectly modulated, loud enough for the surrounding guests to hear. Was this not a veiled insult, suggesting that she wasn't fit for high society?

How could she possibly tolerate this?

Halden was intent on burning all her bridges. Once this incident got out, the media and entertainment industry would surely blow it out of proportion.

All her hard work, her status in high society...

In that moment, she felt an overwhelming urge to confront Halden and rip apart his silver tongue.

No, she couldn't let this situation escalate.

But before she could speak up, Daxton, at her side, bellowed furiously, "Halden, what exactly are you implying? Even if you have issues with me, what has Ondine done to provoke you?"

"Isn't it beneath you to speak such words in front of everyone? Setting aside my relationship with her, isn't it unfair to speak to someone who has come to the banquet with genuine intentions?"

"You, right now, this instant, owe Ondine an apology!"

Daxton, usually the epitome of composure, now displayed a visage marred by anger, a far cry from his usual gentlemanly charm.

Ilyana, at least in her previous life, had never witnessed Daxton this incensed.